The Washington critic., 1887-03-21
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Edith Kingdom. lie has become so en-
crossed In his business that his old
companions at the New York Club are
inclined to complain little of his ne
glect Of them. One Of them said yes.
terday: at Is not often that rich
mans son settles down with the ambi
tion TO become richer than his father
but that is just what George Gould
seems to have done. Ii Is not so long
since we used to see him every night or
two at the club with II jolly lot of
fellows around him. Now We never
see him, but the fellows say that he
has grown tremendously ambitious for
vast wealth. lie will be very rich
man without waiting for his fathers
demise"
Governor Hill, in his speech before
the Young Mems Democratic Club of
Brooklyn, at the Academy of Music, on
Washington's birthday, told story of
General Mcneil of New Hampshire
which the daughter of that gallant
officer, Mrs. Fanny Mcneil Potter of
Brooklyn, denies. Governor Hill, who,
In justice be 1t said, obtained the story
from Judge Woodbury. of Boston, said
that General Mcneil, who was bluff
bat gallant old soldier, when asked by
young dude in Boston If he lost the
use Of his limb, which had been shot
through at the battle of Chippewa In
the war of 1912, from white swelling,
answered: young man, you talk like
A. fool; why don't you read the
history Of your country?'' Mrs. Pot
ter, who is the widow of General Potter
of New Hampshire and the niece Of
President franklin Pierce, was
greatly annoyed by the sketch
given by Governor Hill. Her
father, she says, was y man Of
the greatest refinement and purity Of
speech, and always bore himself
and his shattered leg, which was nearly
severed from his body, with quiet dig
nifty. lie was not given to the use Of
profane language. His invariable re-
ply to questions as to his stiff limb was
that "he fell through bridge" Mrs.
Potter's "reminiscences of her father are
most entertaining and vivid. lie was
six feet five inches tall, perfectly erect,
and without limp. as the Governor
mistakenly asserted, and one of the
bravest men of the age. Within the
space of twenty days he received two
brevets for bravery on the field of bat.
tie. He was of The ancient and noble
family of Mcneil of Scotland. His
daughter, Mrs. Potter. is a lady of
commanding appearance, stately of car
riage and a gentlewoman In breeding
and manners. She spends much time
in Washington, where she Is great
favorite, but her home, for the most
part of the year, is In Brooklyn.
".%
Says "Fay" in the C0Wqer.J0urRdl
"There are great many good wives
in Washington, and they nave different
ways of showing their regard for their
liege lords. One of Mrs. BGck's mani
festations of thoughtfulness for her
husbands comfort and handsome ap.
pearance took the form of finding out
when he was to make speech in the
Senate, and knowing that his earnest.
ness always caused profusc perspira-
tion, If the weather was warm, she
always made II rule to take to the
Capitol vallse filled with fresh linen
and clothing, so that at the conclusion
of his speech he could make an entire
change In his apparel. 1t was not un.
til last summer that the correspondents
found this out aud commented upon 1t.
Mr.. Beck, after hot debate looked
red, his shirt collar had wilted, and the
perspiration drlpped from his face. A
page came In and told him that Mrs
Beck wished TO speak 10 him In his
committee room. He knew her er.
rand, disappeared, and when he 70.
turned he was cool, dry and refreshed.
Ills linen was immaculate, and his
comfortable look excited the envy of
those who either had no wives. or ones
whose loyalty did not take such prac.
tlc0l shape.
~,
Says the "ChatterboN' Of the Phila.
delphia Nees; THE only daughter of
IN officer IN the United States Navy, Of
rank so exalted that to mention It
would he equivalent TO calling him by
nfme, Is celebrated 10 the social worll
for the easy Indifference she displays 70
covert criticisms upon the characle, OF
the roses that bloom in her chgeks Onl
afternoon lately her father, whp as a
seafatlng man Is privileged % use
strong language, said 10 her IN iht
presence Of several young people
GOOD God, girl Go back 10 you
room and wash your face The dutlil
daughter trippcd away. when sh,
soon returned with pallid checks IA,
stem old hero cried out: Go back, g,
back aud put It on again You loOl
wofo than ever.
V.
III Phil Sheridan purchases ,
summer residence on the soull
Shore" said military man to re
porter of tho Boston Tg3wrigf. 90.
suppose he win bring Ills ambuauc,
along with him, and drive up and dow
the beach IN his old superb style.
suppose you know that Sheridan, IL HI
can help II, never rides In any other car
riage than 40 army ambulance. Bclor,
his marriage, when his Headquarters
were at Chicago, his ambulance, neall,
painted and vanished and comfortably
upholstered, drawn by four of tn,
hAndsomest and sprightllest mules IL
the United States, groomcd until they
shone, and driven by u soldier In uni
form, was one of the most familiar oh
iects on the streets. Everybody knew
1t and greatly admired it. When h,
married he had to get coupe, o
course, aud people all pitied him wher
they saw him in it, he looked so com
pletely lost. But he kept the ambu